DROGHEDA UNITED delivered a defiant display to claim their first win of the campaign which moves them off the bottom of the table.

Galway, who have now lost eight games on the spin, failed to build on a positive start as they were caught out by Drogheda's passion after the break.

Drogheda boss Mick Cooke opted for a five man midfield as the visitors were keen to remain safe and solid in the early exchanges.

Galway, though, fielding their strongest XI in over a month sought to get the ball out wide to Bobby Ryan and Karl Moore at the windswept Corribside venue.

With Alan Murphy operating alongside the willing Mikey Gilmore Galway wanted to pose questions of Drogheda's defence.

A clever set piece routine in the 15th minute saw Galway craft an opportunity as Gilmore and Moore combined before Stephen Walsh's header was saved by Steven Trimble.

Moments later Murphy flashed the ball across the Drogs goal as the visitors survived the scare.

But Drogheda came within a whisker of pinching a 20th minute advantage as Galway custodian Greg Fleming reacted quickly to save Mark O'Brien's deflected effort.

Galway responded by netting an opportunistic goal one minute later as Gilmore was sufficiently composed to score following a Shane Keogh delivery.

After the restart Galway were on the front foot as midfielder Gary Kelly drilled wide from 20 yards in the 54th minute.

Seconds later a cute Kelly pass found substitute Enda Curran, whose attempted chip just over as Galway were anxious to inflict further damage.

Drogheda could have levelled on the hour mark, but Fleming made a decent save from Darragh McNamara, who made a headed connection with a Colin O'Brien cross.

The visitors did restore parity on 63 as McNamara pulled the ball back for replacement Darragh Hannaphy, who rattled the Galway net from close range.

Full-back O'Brien created the winner for brother Mark when he fired in a free kick in the 67th minute and midfielder Mark O'Brien reacted first to fire home at the second attempt.

Galway went close in stoppage time, but Trimble saved a Shaun Maher headed as Drogheda held on for a critical triumph.

Galway United: Fleming; Sinnott, Maher, Walsh, Keogh; Ryan, Feeney (Eduardo, 42), G Kelly (Cash, 70), Moore; Murphy (Curran, 46), Gilmore.

Drogheda United: Trimble; C O'Brien, McNally, Ekanem, Hand; McNamara, McCrossan (Thompson, 46), Quigley, M O'Brien, Freeman (Hannaphy, 46); Corcoran.

Referee: G Kelly (Cork).